SUSSEX ARCHAEOLOGICAL ROUND-UP
(2nd June to 19th October 2015)
* volunteer opportunities
East Sussex
Alfriston: The Sanctuary (NGR 551682 103782: Alfriston parish). (Site Code SAN 14.
Directors: Keith Butler & Steffan Klemenic). A watching brief was maintained during the ground
reduction prior to the construction of a new stable block on the site of a known Anglo Saxon
cemetery, excavated in 1912-14. The reduction revealed four potential grave cuts and two post
holes. These were not excavated but cleaned back and recorded. A protective membrane and
covering was then laid over the features prior to the construction of the concrete raft for the new
stable block (CBAS).
Battle: Battle Abbey Wall. (NGR 574924 115696: Battle parish). (Site Code WAL14. Director
Chris Russel). An archaeological watching brief was carried out during repair works on a section
of wall at Battle Abbey. A small section of topsoil and turf was removed at the base of the south
elevation of the wall which measured 1.35m in length and a maximum of 0.30m in width. A
maximum of 0.17m of topsoil and turf was removed revealing unworked and unsorted sandstone
blocks bonded with mid yellow lime mortar. The majority of these blocks were already partially
visible before the excavation commenced. Two new stones were revealed during the excavations,
one in the extreme west of the trench and one at the extreme east. The blocks associated with this
structure continued into the eastern and southern sections of the excavation. A single piece of tile
or similar ceramic material was noted bonded into the wall construction. No other finds were
observed during the excavation (ASE).
Battle: Hemmingfold Oast, Hastings Road (NGR 577660 114796: Battle). (Site Code HOB 15.
Directors Keith Butler & Andrew Bradshaw). A standing building survey produced evidence for
four phases of development of the building. The original oast house was probably constructed
during the mid 19th century. The second phase of development saw its conversion into two
workers cottages c. 1880. Sometime before 1873 a small extension to the south-east of the kiln
was constructed. The final phase was the conversion of the building into a single dwelling and the
construction of a circular building to the south-east of the original building and the associated
connecting range on the eastern side. The conversion of the oast house to two workers cottages
removed most of the internal fabric of the original oast building. An archaeological watching
brief in connection with a planning application for the essential repair works to the oast including
works on the roof, floors and walls, formation of new windows, and groundworks in connection
with an external drainage system is currently ongoing (CBAS).
Bexhill: North Bexhill Access Road (NGR 573830 110259 (centred): Bexhill) (Site Code
NBAR 15: Director Chris Butler). A desk based assessment, EIA Chapter, geophysical survey
and geoarchaeological assessment of the proposed new road linking the Bexhill to Hastings Link
Road with the existing Bexhill Road (A269), located north of Sidley, was undertaken as part of
the planning application (CBAS).
*Bishopstone Tidemills. (Centred NGR TQ 460 003). (Site Code: TM 15. Site Director Luke
Barber). The 2015 season is now drawing to a close. The complexity and ever expanding size of
William Catt’s greenhouse means work on this structure will have to resume at the start of the
2016 season. It appears that the greenhouse was increased in size on a number of occasions, some
of these extensions not appearing on the OS maps and thus presumably being quite short-lived.
Initially the greenhouse was heated by hot air ducts, at least two phases of these with further
modifications have been identified. This heating system was replaced by cast iron steam pipes,
feed by a massive boiler in a sunken stoke-hole area within the adjacent building. This was made
by Palmer & Co of Brighton and installed around the 1830s. Despite the boiler remaining, most
of the associated pipes had been removed. Traces of further horticultural buildings just to the east
of the main greenhouse have also been found but will need investigation in 2016. Unexpectedly
there have also been earlier features found underneath some of the buildings, including a possible
sump, a brick road and thick make-up layers. Work will cease at the end of October and resume
in May 2016. Volunteers always welcome (SAS).
Blackboys, Pounsley Oast, Sharlands Lane (NGR 552723 121751: Blackboys). (Site code POB
15. Director: Chris Butler). A brief standing building survey was carried out on Pounsley Oast to
assess the significance of the building. The oasthouse was constructed at some stage between
1840 and 1874 and forms a classic mid 19th- century oasthouse. It has recently been classified as a
Grade II Listed Building. The survey established that despite the addition of a 1970’s extension to
the north of the kiln, and numerous internal changes during its conversion initially to a flat and
garage and then to a house, much of the original structure remains within the building. The
original timber framed structure of the stowage building is almost intact, and the first (cooling)
floor also appears to be the original. Other original fittings include the first floor external door
and an internal door between the stowage and kiln at first floor level. Two louvred windows also
survive in the north wall of the stowage (CBAS).
Brighton: Church Street, Portland Street. (NGR 530969 104431: Brighton parish). (Site Code
PCB 15. Director Chris Russel). An archaeological evaluation was undertaken on land at 27-31
Church Street. The site is situated close to the North Street Urban Character Area and was
therefore considered to have the potential to answer research questions relating to the medieval
development and decline of this area of Brighton. A total of four 10m trenches were excavated
revealing both Head Deposit and Solid Chalk Geology between 24.47 and 23.02m AOD. There
appeared to have been a degree of truncation of the geological horizon caused by post-medieval
phases of construction and demolition at the site. Several structural features were revealed which
corresponded strongly with structural features recorded on the 1876 Ordnance Survey map. No
evidence of activity earlier that the 19th century was observed (ASE).
Eastbourne: Sovereign Harbour Cycleway Phase 3 (NGR (at east end) 56314 10184:
Langney). (Site Code SHC 15. Directors Jim Webster & Dr Mike Allen). Two phases of
evaluation work undertaken. Phase 1: geoarchaeological modelling and monitoring of bore holes
showed that a Willingdon Peat deposit exists towards the eastern end of the site. Phase 2:
excavation of four test pits and two evaluation trenches and further geoarchaeological sampling
confirmed the presence of the peat deposit, but no archaeological remains or artefacts apart from
some possible evidence connected with the adjacent St Anthony’s airfield in the First World War
(CBAS).
East Hoathly: Ketley Cottage (NGR 552329 116348: East Hoathly). (Site Code KCH15.
Directors: Keith Butler & Caroline Russell). A standing building survey was undertaken which
established that Ketley Cottage was probably constructed in the Late Georgian to Early Victorian
period. The building was originally built as a pair of two-up two-down cottages, with a staircase
in each cottage adjacent to the dividing wall. A small shop on the southern end of the southern
cottage was most likely added to the property fairly soon after its construction. The property was
then converted in to a single dwelling. This involved the blocking of the front doors to the
property and the doorway to the northern cottage, and the removal of the staircase in the northern
cottage. The property retains a number of features dating to the early fabric of the building. An
archaeological watching brief was then carried out during groundworks associated with the
construction of a single storey extension. Brick walls belonging to an outbuilding, probably
dating to the 19th century, were encountered in the east. No other archaeological features were
observed (CBAS).
Fairwarp: Arnolds, Nursery Lane. (NGR TQ 47220 26364 Maresfield parish). (Site Code FAR
14. Director Suzanne Westall). An archaeological watching brief was undertaken during the
installation of a Ground Source Heat Pump system at Arnolds, Nursery Lane. Three features were
identified during the course of the works; one produced finds of late post-medieval to early
modern date. The other two features produced no dating evidence. One is thought to be a tree
throw, the other modern (ASE).
Forest Row: Burnt House Cottage, Priory Road (NGR 542275 135090: Forest Row). (Site
Code BHC 15: Director Keith Butler). A watching brief visit was made to monitor the removal of
the brick work for a new window in the northern end of the eastern elevation in this 17 th Century
Listed Building, together with the opening up of the clay tile hung western wall for the insertion
of two windows on the first floor, and the creation of two roof lights in the western slope of the
roof. The property has now chnaged hands and further monitoring visits are pending (CBAS).
Forest Row: Bower House Barn, Hammerwood. (NGR 543776 139214: Forest Row). Site
Code BHF15. Directors: Keith Butler & David Atkin). A Level 2 standing building survey was
initially carried out on two farm buildings before their conversion into a granny annex and
garage/store. Both buildings were originally brick built in the 19th century. However, after storm
damage in 1987, the remaining gable walls of Building B were re-built using breeze blocks, and
each building was re-roofed using new and re-used timbers. Building A had a possible hay loft, as
evidenced by the door set above ground in its west gable. Bay IV of this building appears to have
once been a stable, with kicking plates of cement render and metal sheeting. Building B was most
probably a milking parlour. An archaeological watching brief is currently ongoing during the
conversion works (CBAS).
Frant: Broad Arrow Wood (NGR 555450 137850: Frant). (Site Code BAW 15: Director:
Vivienne Blandford). A woodland archaeology survey was undertaken to ascertain the historic
environment resource and provide management recommendations for any heritage found within
this woodland. The whole area was once part of Waterdown Forest until about the mid 19 th
century when the area became referred to as Broadwater Forest, for the northern part, with the
Warren to the south. Therefore this small woodland was once part of a much wider landscape and
any surviving archaeology would be inextricably related to that wider area. The area of Broad
Arrow Wood is a small one but it is possible that there are the remains of the late 18 th- century
military encampment within the woodland as well as a hollow way that represents the line of an
earlier road and possibly the remnants of one of the northern boundaries of Waterdown Forest.
Today there is little threat to the remaining features within this wood apart from vegetation
damage (tree throws and bracken roots). There has been some damage to the woodland from
previous forestry operations (CBAS).
Golden Cross, Old Mill House, Chalvington Rd (NGR 553722 112230: Golden Cross). (Site
Code OMH 15. Director Chris Butler). A brief survey was carried on this non-listed building to
establish its significance. A windmill was located adjacent to the site from at least the early 19th
century if not earlier, and it is likely that this building was either the granary or the miller’s house.
It was first recorded on the 1839 Tithe map and had been extended by the 1875 OS map. After the
windmill was dismantled, the Old Mill House became a tea room until converted into a residence
in the 1970’s. Very little of the interior of the early house survives, and the house has been much
altered during the later 19th and 20th centuries, and was probably re-roofed in the 20th century as
well. The fireplaces, stairs and under stair cupboard probably date to the later 19th or 20th century
changes, although some of the exposed timber joists for the first floor appear to be original.
Targeted monitoring of the building work is currently underway, and monitoring of groundworks
for the new extension and garage are due to take place in the near future (CBAS).
Hadlow Down: St. Marks School. (TQ 5302 2415: Wealden District). (Site code: SMH 15.
Director: Lisa Fisher). On May 27th 2015 an archaeological watching brief was undertaken at St
Mark’s School, Hadlow Down during ground works for the construction of a detached classroom.
The archaeological watching brief inspected and recorded three footings trenches for an area
approximately 6m x 8m in size. The trenches were excavated to a depth of approximately 1m
down through the natural geology but were devoid of any features or finds of any great age,
except for a disturbed 19th- century soil context and a shallow back filled feature of similar date.
The disturbed horizons contained residual artefacts dating from the 17th century to the modern
period and it is clear that the area was levelled prior to the construction of the school in the
Victorian period due to the lack of gradual lensing between contexts (ASL).
Hartfield: Spring Cottage, High Street (NGR 547924 135781: Hartfield). (Site Code SCH 14:
Directors: Keith Butler & David Atkin). A standing building survey was initially undertaken on
this Grade II listed building. The survey concluded that the cottage was built in the first part of the
16th century and then had a single storey outshut added in the early 19th century. The survey
concluded that the new extension will have no direct impact on the historic fabric of the cottage.
An archaeological watching brief was maintained during the groundworks associated with the
construction of the new extension. A single sherd of a late 16th- to mid 17th- century 'Bellarmine'
bottle along with some later post medieval artefacts was recovered. No archaeological features
were noted (CBAS).
Hastings: Queensway Gateway (NGR 57945 11301: Hastings). (Site Code QNG 15: Director
Jim Webster & Dr Mike Allen). An initial stage of ground site investigation work along the route
of the Queensway Gateway, Hastings, proposed by the developers comprised the machine
excavation of 15 x 4m deep trial pits and coring of 5 deep (6m – 15m) boreholes. These provided
an opportunity to record a baseline Holocene sedimentary record, which will outline the
geoarchaeological potential and formulate an appropriate, and targeted, geoarchaeological
response. It will also inform the positioning of archaeological evaluation trenches in due course
(CBAS).
Heathfield: Farnfields Barn, Broad Oak. (NGR 561326 124684 Heathfield parish). (Site Code
FB0 10. Director John Cook). An archaeological watching brief was undertaken during
groundworks at Farnfields Barn, Pottens Mill Lane in March and April. A compacted surface or
demolition deposit was identified during excavation for the new swimming pool. The majority of
the finds from this layer date to the late 19th to 20th century. Historical mapping indicates
agricultural buildings at this location from at least 1874 through to the 1970s. Therefore, the
deposit is likely to relate to the final use of these buildings in the 20th century or to their
demolition (ASE).
Hellingly: Manor Park Home Estate (NGR 559265 111545: Hellingly). (Site Code MPH 14:
Director: Steffan Klemenic). A watching brief was carried out at Manor Park Homes Estate,
Hellingly, to monitor the groundworks associated with the construction of nine residential park
home pitches. No archaeological features were observed during the monitoring, which involved a
c.300mm ground reduction across the entire site, and the excavation of a service trench. A small
assemblage of artefacts from the topsoil strip is currently undergoing analysis (CBAS).
Kingston, nr Lewes: 3 Hollowdown Cottages. (TQ 3925 0824. Lewes District). (Site code
HDC15. Director: Lisa Fisher). An intermittent watching brief was conducted during June and
July 2015. The earliest phase is represented by the recovery of some unstratified Middle Bronze
Age pottery and flint flakes c. 1700 BC. The remains of a mortared flint wall foundation and near
complete chalk ‘flag’ floor surface was uncovered and although it was not possible to securely
date this it is highly likely that this once formed part of the lost medieval manor house of Hyde.
Possibly this was part of a gatehouse that was referred to in early written documentary sources.
Later 16th- century Tudor additions included a brick floor laid over the chalk floor and evidence of
some re-used, high status 12th- century stone was incorporated into the building possibly robbed
from Lewes Priory. At the same time, in the middle of the 16th century, Hollowdown Cottages
may have been built as a new parlour and buttery to the east of the medieval hall which appears to
have been demolished in the late 18th century when a new roof was built over the cottages and a
well constructed in the garden (ASL).
Kingston, nr Lewes: Kingston Manor, The Street. (TQ 38913 08137. Lewes District). (Site
code KMK 15. Director: Lisa Fisher). On September 8th 2015 ASL were commissioned by Mr
and Mrs Firmin to undertake a small archaeological watching brief at Kingston. The excavation of
footings trenches for a rear extension, approximately 7m x 4m in size were monitored down to a total
depth of 1.55m. No features or finds of any great age were noted and it is fairly clear that the area has
been subjected to levelling in recent times, probably to create the patio area which has now been
removed to make way for the extension (ASL).
Lewes: Land to the rear of 25A-C Priory Street. (NGR 541416 109677: Lewes parish).
(Site Code PRY 15. Director Christopher Curtis). In July 2015 a programme of historic building
recording was undertaken in connection with the redevelopment of Priory Barn, behind 25 A-C
Priory Street. The work was carried out to satisfy conditions attached to planning permission for
the demolition of the existing building and erection of a new dwelling on the site. The building
was constructed in the late 19th century as a small industrial building on the back plot of a house.
The building has seen several uses including as a possible coal store, a motor workshop and as
general storage, and its form has been altered to reflect its various uses (ASE).
Lewes: Falcon Wharf. (NGR 541890 110340: Lewes). (Site Code FAL 14. Director: Jim
Webster). An archaeological watching brief was carried out during the excavation of trial holes to
establish the location of anchor ties for the river frontage, and the excavation of a service trench.
A deep stratigraphy was encountered in the trial trenches together with a number of timbers, both
posts and horizontal timbers which all appear structural. Few artefacts were recovered, but the
made ground and timbers appear to be post medieval, although final analysis of these is
underway. The service trench located the remains of the industrial railway track that ran from
Lewes railway station to the warehouses in the 19th and earlier 20th century (CBAS).
Lewes: St Anne's House (NGR 541113 109932: Lewes). (Site Code SAL15. Director Caroline
Russell). An archaeological evaluation in connection with a pre-application planning proposal for
a two storey dwelling within the rear grounds of St Anne’s House which may have been the site
of the graveyard of St Peter Westout Church. Two evaluation trenches were excavated. Below
made ground deposits, a curving linear feature and a number of possible pit features and post
holes were recorded, some of which are medieval in date. No graves or human remains were
found. The artefacts are currently being processed and analysis is awaited (CBAS).
Lewes, Moat Yard Lane (NGR 541439 110090: Lewes). (Site Code MYL 15. Director Jim
Webster). A watching brief was carried out during the construction of a new house at Moat Yard
which is located on the north side of Castle Ditch Lane. Nothing of significance recorded and
report is being prepared (CBAS).
Lewes: land adjacent to the Old Mill House, Juggs Road. (TQ 40217 09227: Lewes District).
(Site code JRL 14. Director: Lisa Fisher). On the 15th and 25th June 2015 ASL conducted an
intermittent watching brief on land adjacent to the Old Mill. The foundation trenches for a raft
foundation for a new build ‘Passivhaus’ were partially monitored on the first day. It was apparent
that the land had been cut and filled during the late Victorian period when the site was used as a
tennis court. A few abraded medieval pottery sherds were residual in the soil, indicating
agricultural land use during this period. The trenches were excavated to a depth of approximately
1.1m down through to the natural chalk geology but no features or artefacts of any great age were
recovered except a typical background scatter of late 19th- to early 20th- century finds (ASL).
Mayfield: South Street (NGR 55780 12690: Mayfield). (Site Code SSM 14. Director: Jim
Webster). Archaeological watching brief during the construction of a single story dwelling. Made
ground and 19th- to 20th- century drains recorded with a small assemblage of later post medieval
artefacts (CBAS).
Mayfield: Hunts Barn, Piccadilly Lane (NGR 55910 12568: Mayfield). (Site Code HBM14.
Director: David Atkin). An archaeological watching brief was maintained during the
groundworks associated with the construction of a new extension and work to the fabric of the
16th- century house at Hunts Barn. A small assemblage of pottery, ceramic building material and
iron working slag was recovered, and dates predominantly to the 19th and early 20th centuries,
although there were a small number of residual 17th- and 18th- century artefacts present. No
archaeological features present. The removal of modern extensions to the house revealed little
new information about the fabric of the early house (CBAS).
Mayfield: Middle House Hotel (NGR 558704 126977: Mayfield). (Site code MHM 14. Director
Caroline Russell). An Archaeological evaluation excavation was carried out in advance of the
construction of an extension to this Grade I Listed Building which is situated in the High Street,
opposite the parish church. Two small evaluation trenches were excavated; Trench 1 encountered
deposits of made ground over an 18th- to 19th- century (demolition) deposit which included CBM
and an 18th- century brick-lined drain capped with sandstone. Trench 2 located similar deposits
and a brick- lined drain capped with brick, again of 18th- century date. An undated gully, perhaps
related to the drain was also found in this trench. The earliest pottery found (unstrat.) was dated to
the 16th to 17th century. (CBAS)
Newhaven: Newhaven Flood Alleviation Scheme. (NGR 544738 101402 Newhaven parish).
(Site Code NFA 15. Director Ed Blinkhorn). A geoarchaeological watching brief was carried out
at the proposed Newhaven Flood Alleviation Scheme in June 2015 in advance of a planning
application for the scheme. A total of 8 window samples, a hand dig test pit and five cable
percussion boreholes were monitored. No archaeological artefacts or ecofacts were encountered
during the watching brief. No evidence of in situ organic remains was encountered during the
watching brief although geotechnical logs supplied by the contractor indicate some instances of
preservation potential at the site. The depth of sediments was such that very few of the
geotechnical interventions encountered the underlying chalk. Despite this a basic deposit model
was constructed using the supplied geotechnical logs, which identifies the Holocene
palaeochannel margins and shallow Pleistocene sediments as preserving the best potential for
archaeological and palaeoenvironmental remains (ASE).
Newtimber, Poynings. (TQ 271 114 Poynings parish). (Director Chris Carey). In June a
geophysical (magnetometry) survey was undertaken across Newtimber Hill as part of a training
exercise for the Brighton University archaeology students. The survey identified a possible
barrow and field boundaries and possible evidence for settlement activity (reported by NT).
Ninfield: Castle Croft, Little Standard Hill Farm (Centred NGR TQ 681116: Ninfield parish).
(Site Code CC15. Directors: Kevin and Lynn Cornwell). A society excavation was conducted
between 3rd - 16th October following a successful application to Natural England for a Derogation
Licence. A number of features identified during previous Magnetometer, Resistivity and
Topographic surveys were targeted and have revealed a quantity of Romano-British CBM,
pottery and glass. This has confirmed the presence of a demolished building on the Croft and the
‘ladder settlement’ to the north-west. A substantial quantity of partially fired clay and red 'dust'
to a depth of up to 1.2m in places was also identified on the adjoining field and this contained
broken RB CBM. Pottery finds were limited and we have provisionally concluded that the main
settlement area is on Kitchenham Farm, Ashburnham 1km to the north-west. Casper Johnson
visited the site on the final day and confirmed that we were excavating a very badly damaged RB
tile kiln. Field work and finds processing is ongoing (HAARG).
Northiam: Station Road (NGR 583161 125618: Northiam). (Site code: SRN 15. Director
Caroline Russell). A magnetometer survey has just been carried out in connection with a planning
application for the proposed development of residential housing at this site. The final results are
awaited, but initial indications are that there was nothing of archaeological interest (CBAS).
*Ovingdean: Hog Croft (TQ 354 036: Ovingdean Parish). (Site code: 500209, Director John
Skelton). Excavation of a 13th- Century manorial complex consisting of stone manor house and
timber structures bounded by earthwork banks. Following on from last year’s evaluation
excavation we have returned this year to investigate the eastern end of the east-west chalk bank
boundary with a small area excavation. Past work indicates that there may be wall and floor
features in this area and it may be the site of an entrance into the complex. We have now cut into
the outer edge of the chalk bank and discovered an underlying earth bank containing bone,
charcoal and burnt daub. It is not clear yet whether this is an early medieval or Saxon bank but
following from last years experience we expect to find Saxon remains in the buried soil beneath
these features. There is a potential palisade fence slot just outside the bank and post-holes for
raking posts just inside. The excavation has also revealed a number of post-holes and beam-slots
cut into the chalk and it is possible that we have revealed the entrance in one end of an early
building (Saxon?) oriented east-west. This lies underneath the medieval flint walls and on a
different orientation. Unfortunately, we have had a paucity of datable finds from within the postholes and beam-slots. The flint constructions revealed this year are still consistent with being part
of an entrance into the main medieval site. Excavation is coming to an end for this year and next
year we plan to return to Ovingdean but having a much shorter digging period. When details are
finalised they will be published on our website (http://www.brightonarch.org.uk). There will be
digging opportunities for all members of BHAS and non-members can visit and join on site if
they find that the activities are "for them" (BHAS).
Peacehaven: Farrington Enterprise Estate. (NGR 541560 101310: Peacehaven parish).
(Site Code FPE 15. Director Simon Stevens). An archaeological evaluation was undertaken at
Farrington Enterprise Estate, Hoyle Road. Three trenches were mechanically excavated to a
cumulative length of 43m. Although there was a paucity of closely datable material, the
orientation of one gully suggests it formed the continuation of one of a system of features forming
Middle Iron Age droveways recorded on other sites in the locale. The ditch contained a small
amount of Mesolithic or Neolithic worked flint thought therefore to be residual. The orientation
of another gully/ditch suggests a post-medieval date, again based on the alignment of features
encountered at other nearby sites in recent years. An otherwise undated post-hole, pit and spread
may also belong to the Middle Iron Age, or variously to earlier or later periods. Artefacts from
these consisted of a group of undiagnostic residual flintwork (ASE).
Peacehaven: 1a Stanley Road (NGR 540852 102330: Peacehaven). (Site Code SRP 15.
Director: Caroline Russell). An archaeological evaluation excavation was carried out as part of
the planning requirements for a proposed new dwelling on site. The opening of two evaluation
trenches and the subsequent monitoring of ground reduction revealed no archaeological features,
deposits or artefacts within the footprint of the new building (CBAS).
Peacehaven: 123 Arundel Road. (TQ 4136 0117. Lewes District). (Site code ARP15. Site
Director: Lisa Fisher). On June 30th 2015 ASL were commissioned to undertake a watching brief
at 123 Arundel Road. Three footings trenches approximately 7.0m long and 500mm wide were
excavated to a depth of 850mm into the natural sand geology. No features were uncovered and a
background scatter of residual prehistoric flintwork was retrieved. Other than that, modern
artefacts dating from the time of the construction of the bungalow on the site were recovered and
no other finds (ASL).
*Pett: Pett Level (NGR: TQ 88806 13061). Recording of the submerged forest, co-ordinated by
CITiZAN, was carried out by members of Hastings Area Archaeological Research Group,
Winchelsea Archaeological Society and other volunteers in August 2015. The details of over 40
more trees were recorded and added to the data already collected by Dr Scott Timpany of the
University of the Highlands and Islands during an English Heritage funded project carried out in
2014 (CITiZAN/HAARG/Winchelsea Arch Soc).
Plumpton: Plumpton College Lake. (NGR 535135 115662: Plumpton parish). (Site Code CLP
14. Director Gary Webster). An archaeological investigation was carried out at Oakwood Farm,
Streat Lane, Streat, Plumpton in 2015 in preparation for the construction of a lake. A small
Roman enclosure was uncovered, formed by a ditch and a palaeochannel. A further ditch and
some associated pits were identified, and a sizeable assemblage of Roman pottery dating from
AD70 – AD200 was recovered. There was also a later Saxo-Norman pit and some intrusive later
Saxo-Norman pottery, possibly indicating a reoccupation of the area. Several residual prehistoric
flints and pottery sherds were also recovered (ASE).
Plumpton Roman Villa (NGR (centred) 5360 1147: Plumpton). (Site code PRV15. Directors:
David Rudling & Chris Butler). Joint project with the Sussex School of Archaeology. The eastern
end of the villa building was exposed, excavated and recorded by a mixture of volunteers and
students on SSA courses, and Plumpton College students, during the 2015 season. The most
interesting feature surviving on this heavily plough damaged site was a possible large corn drying
oven inserted into the easternmost room of the villa, with a furnace outside the north wall. The
wing room immediately to its south had an apsidal south wall. Despite the plough damage a range
of interesting artefacts were recovered. Working with Plumpton College, Natural England and the
Archaeology Team at ESCC a new area to be taken out of cultivation has been agreed and
marked out. A further season is planned for 2016 with SSA training courses, to investigate the
western end of the villa (CBAS & SSA).
Polegate: Land north of Dittons Farm (NGR 560291 104635: Polegate). (Site Code DFP 15:
Director: Caroline Russell). Following an evaluation excavation in 2014, an archaeological
excavation (Phase 2) was carried out on land north of Dittons Farm, Polegate. Phase 1 had
established that there were medieval features in the northwest part of the site, and Phase 2 was
designed to investigate these further and to evaluate parts of the site not accessible in Phase 1.
The excavation confirmed the presence of medieval features, which comprised a number of linear
features, probably truncated ditches, together with an area of very degraded metalling. It was
clear that the site had been subjected to ploughing which had severely truncated the
archaeological features. The features dated to a fairly compact timeframe starting in the early
13th century, with intense activity during the 13th and early 14th centuries. Activity appears to
rapidly drop off during the first half of the 14th century and appears to have ceased by 1350.
Dittons Farm originated in the 13th century and it seems likely that the associated settlement
extended north to include the area of the investigation. However, by 1350 the settlement had
either shrunk in size or the farm had moved a short distance to the south, and the area of the site
had been abandoned. A report is under preparation for SAC (CBAS).
Ripe, The Coach House, Church Lane (NGR 551044 110066: Ripe). (Site Code CHR 15.
Directors: Andrew Bradshaw & Caroline Russell). The Coach House is a non-designated historic
building, of possible 18th- century date or earlier. A standing building survey was carried out and
a watching brief undertaken during its conversion into a dwelling. The floor level inside the
building and an area of ground to the west of the building were reduced, and a trench was also
excavated for a gas duct to the west of the building. The floor of the Coach House and deposits
underneath it were recorded, along with the coal store on the eastern side of the building. The
garden walls and deposits to the west of the building were also recorded. No other features were
noted. Reports are in preparation (CBAS).
Ripe: Eckington Lodge, Deanland Road. (TQ 51161 10142. Wealden District). (Site code ELR
15. Director: Lisa Fisher). On 22nd June 2015 ASL were commissioned to undertake a small
watching brief to a garage extension at Eckington Lodge. Three footings trenches were excavated
abutting the existing structure for a raft foundation measuring approximately 2.70m x 5.5m in size.
No features were found except a modern tree pit and a background scatter of residual artefacts dating
from the prehistoric period but in the main the assemblage dated to the early 20th century, retrieved
from made up soil which was excavated to a total depth of 650mm (ASL).
Rodmell, Parkfield, The Street (NGR 542036 106439: Rodmell). (Site Code ROD 15. Director:
Caroline Russell). Watching brief during groundworks for the erection of single storey side and
rear extensions, and a two storey rear extension was undertaken this last week. No finds of any
significance (CBAS).
Rushlake Green: Holy Trinity Priory (NGR 564137 118107: Rushlake Green). (Site Code HTP
14: Director Chris Butler). A geophysical survey was carried out as part of the evaluation
required by Historic England to establish whether the replacement of overhead cables with below
ground cables would be permitted. Only a small area at the south end of the scheduled monument
area was surveyed, which picked up possible buildings which may relate to the kitchens and
latrines (CBAS).
Rye: First House, 1 Mermaid Street (NGR 592044 120283: Rye). (Site Code FHM 15.
Director: Jim Webster). Phase 1: The monitoring of two test pits established the presence of
archaeological remains in the form of a north-south aligned brick wall of probable late 18thcentury in date in test pit 1 and an east-west aligned stone wall of possible late medieval date in
test pit 2. Finds included a single sherd of late 12th- to mid 13th- century pottery from test pit 1 and
a fragment of Roman tile from test pit 2. However there was no clear dating material found. These
walls could provide evidence of earlier buildings, but not enough area was exposed to be
definitive. Phase 2: Monitoring further excavations encountered a number of pits of medieval
date. The artefact assemblage is currently being processed and analysed (CBAS).
Rye, 95 High Street (NGR 592077 120383: Rye). (Site Code HSR 15. Director: Caroline
Russell). A watching brief in connection with the replacement of a rear conservatory with a
dining room extension, and internal alterations to separate living and retail areas. Prior to CBAS
being appointed, works involving the excavation and infilling of concrete strip foundations within
the front of the building had taken place. After cleaning up the surface a number of features were
located and these were excavated and recorded. Medieval pottery was recovered from some
features. A geotechnical test pit and monitored foundation pit were also recorded. Processing and
analysis of the artefacts is currently underway (CBAS).
Saddlescombe, Poynings Hurricane crash. (TQ 271 114 Poynings parish). (Direcor Richard
Osgood). The crash site of a Hurricane downed during the Battle of Britain was identified through
geophysical survey and subsequently excavated in September by the Defence Infrastructure
Organisation under the auspices of Operation Nightingale, directed by Richard Osgood. The
excavations successfully identified the impact crater and retrieved numerous aircraft components
including instrumentation, ammunition and the prop hub. Report pending (reported by NT).
Seaford: Florence House Retreat. (NGR 549167 098499: Seaford parish). (Site Code FLS 15.
Director Ed Blinkhorn). An archaeological watching brief was carried out at Florence House
between 4th and 7th August 2015 in advance of the construction of an extension. The watching
brief uncovered a small number of features cutting the Palaeogene sands. These comprised three
linear features, presumed to be small ditches, although finds (burnt flint) were only recovered
from one of these. A small assemblage of lithics was also recovered, mostly deriving from the
surface of the Palaeogene sands, but also from the topsoil and subsoil. A number of these indicate
earlier (Terminal Palaeolithic – Mesolithic) activity in the vicinity, although the majority are
more broadly attributable to the Mesolithic and Early Bronze Age. The presence of this not
demonstrably in situ lithic assemblage is suggestive of a localised concentration of archaeological
material. Other finds of interest comprise a post medieval clay tobacco pipe bowl and, more
significantly, a sherd of Anglo Saxon pottery – a rare discovery in Seaford (ASE).
Sedlescombe: St John’s Church. (NGR: TQ 77710 18805). (Site Code: SJS15. Director:
Philippa Whitehill). An archaeological watching brief was maintained on internal re-ordering
works at the above, late 14th- century church during April 2015. The removal of pew platforms
and flooring of the nave in advance of the installation of an under-floor heating system revealed a
possible clay floor surface (dated to the 18th century with three sherds of (residual) 13th- – 14thcentury pottery, the bases of the columns located along the north and south aisles, a large
memorial stone of 1824 located directly before the current chancel steps and a double, brick-lined
grave containing the collapsed coffins of at least two individuals (between the tower and nave).
Nothing further of archaeological significance was revealed, probably due in part to major
internal and external building works of the 19th and early 20th centuries (CG Archaeology).
Seven Sisters Project. (TV 550 960: East Dean and Friston parishes).
(Overall Director Tom Dommett).
Wreck Recording (June 2015) - The CITiZAN team undertook further recording of features in
the inter-tidal zone believed to relate to the wreck of the Coonatto. While recording details of the
hull cladding were found, corresponding with the description of the vessel in the 1874 Lloyd's
Register. A series of photographs were also take in order to create a three dimensional model of
the wreck (CITiZAN).
East Dean (July-October) - Geoarchaeological fieldwork, comprising hand augering and
excavation of test pits, was undertaken under the direction of Mike Allen, working alongside
volunteers from the Seven Sisters Archaeology Project. Report pending (reported by NT).
Bailys Hill Excavations (August 2015) -Chris Greatorex Archaeology led a community
excavation on Bailys Hill. The excavations focussed on possible Bronze Age features identified
through geophysical survey and in association with a number of known barrows. The excavations
identified prehistoric activity in the form of a number of flint tools, as well as recording evidence
of former field systems and Second World War military activity (CG Archaeology reported by
NT).
Sheffield Park: Pound Farm. (TQ 40883 25026. Lewes District). (Site code PFS 15. Director:
Lisa Fisher). On Tuesday 2nd June 2015 a small test pit measuring 1.20m x 3.70m was monitored
by ASL at Pound Farm, Sheffield Park. This was requested by the ESCC Archaeology Team in
order to evaluate the ground make up in order to evaluate whether a full archaeological
programme of investigation was necessary or not. It had been reported by the architect that the
ground was entirely made up soil which had been previously stripped down to the natural geology
and so an agreement was made to test the ground. In conclusion after excavation, it would be fair
to surmise that the whole area had been previously stripped down to the natural geology and that
no archaeology is likely to be present (ASL).
Stanmer: Rocky Clump (TQ 328101: Stanmer Parish). (Director: John Skelton). The excavation
at Rocky Clump has been postponed pending further development of our Ovingdean excavations
(BHAS).
Staplecross, Salisbury Cottage, Cripps Corner (NGR 577844 121223: Staplecross). (Site Code
SCS 15. Directors: Andrew Bradshaw & Caroline Russell). A brief walk through building survey
was carried out on this non-designated historic building which first appears on the 1872 OS Map.
The survey found that there had been extensive refurbishment throughout the building, and there
was no indication that the building was any older than that shown on 1872 map. There was no
evidence of the buildings former use. A subsequent watching brief on a new extension found a
brick wall of mid 19th- to early 20th- century date, but no other archaeological features or artefacts
(CBAS).
Stone Cross: Junction of St Michaels Close & Dittons Rd (NGR 561365 104467: Stone Cross).
(Site Code MDS 15. Director: Jim Webster). An archaeological evaluation excavation was
undertaken comprising the excavation of the three evaluation trenches which revealed two
deposits of made ground resting above the natural. No features or finds of archaeological interest
were recorded. The finds recovered were modern in date and included a Wealden District Council
Planning Notice, dated 1998, which was found at the interface between the natural deposit and the
lower layer of made ground. The finds suggests that the site was levelled in recent times, which
may have fully removed any archaeology present (CBAS).
Uckfield: Hempstead Sluice (NGR 548430 121920: Buxted). (Site Code HSL 15. Director:
Andrew Bradshaw). Wooden timbers forming a structure of unknown date and function were
noted by the landowner due to the low level of water in the River Uck. CBAS carried out
emergency recording of the timbers, and of the subsequent excavations in the adjacent bank, in
conjunction with the landowners and volunteers from Uckfield Museum. The in-situ timbers
appear to relate to a sluice, possibly connected with a watermill, possibly of C17th- century date
(CBAS).
Vines Cross. (NGR TQ59917177: Heathfield Parish). A spread of bloomery slag on the surface
was examined using magnetometry. A short section of the track to Warbleton was found to be
metalled where the hill was steepest, probably in modern times with the slag imported from
elsewhere (IHRG, David Staveley).
*Wellingham, Nr. Barcombe Mills: Bridge Farm. (NGR TQ 4294 1457: 4.5OD: Ringmer
Parish). (Site Code: BF 15. Directors Rob Wallace & David Millum). The 2015 excavations were
from July 29th to August 8th opening a 40 x 40m trench over the intersection of the road north and
the double enclosure ditch in the NE quarter of the settlement. Students from Canterbury Christ
Church University on field training course plus volunteers carried out the excavation work with
recording and finds processing being undertaken by CAP regulars through August to October
(ongoing). North road now seems to overlay the enclosure ditches although this needs further
investigation in 2016. A dark activity/demolition layer over the ditch areas at the NE corner had
coins from mid-late 3rd C suggesting that the enclosure ditches were back filled before this date.
However other areas of this layer appear to show conflicting coin evidence for both late-2nd C.
and mid-4th C. activity. Artefacts include 50 coins, 3 intaglii, a range of Romano-British pottery
(awaiting analysis), including a variety of coarse indented beakers, bronze jewelry/ornaments,
iron implements, including a stylus, and iron working debris and Wealden ironstone. This area of
the site proved very complicated and it has been decided to return to this trench in 2016 for
further investigation. Further information go to www.culverproject.co.uk. (CAP).
Wilmington: Wilmington House (previously known as Gardners Cottage). (NGR 554527
104583: Wilmington). (Site Code GCW 15: Director: Jim Webster). These archaeological
mitigation works follow on from an archaeological evaluation excavation that took place
at the Site in April 2014. The footprint of the new building was stripped down to the top
of the archaeological remains which were then excavated by hand. The remains of a farm
building of post medieval date were recorded. Below this were a number of pits which
had been cut into the fill of a small quarry, which probably dated to the medieval period.
The artefacts are currently being processed and analysed, and a further phase of watching
brief is due to take place (CBAS).
Winchelsea: Mariteau House. (NGR: TQ 90385 17260). (Site Code: MHW 15. Director:
Philippa Whitehill). An archaeological watching brief was maintained during refurbishment and
renovation works, i.e. in advance of the construction of a single storey rear extension to part of
this Georgian Grade ll listed building during January and June of 2015. A large volume of finds
was retrieved from medieval deposits/ features revealed c. 1m below current ground level. The
deposits/ features appear to extend c. 7 – 8 m (westwards) from the rear of the property and
included possible robbed out walling, midden deposits and several remnants of possible internal
and external surfaces.
The retrieved archaeological material was dated to the High and Late medieval periods with the
CBM alone providing ‘a complete fabric suite for the town between its founding and the mid
16thcentury’ (L. Barber pers com) (CG Archaeology).
Wivelsfield Green: Land off South Road. (NGR 535347 119712: Wivelsfield parish). (Director
John Cook). A magnetometer survey was conducted on a site totalling approximately 3 hectares
of land at South Road. The work was undertaken between Tuesday 18th and Wednesday 19th
August 2015. Evidence for possible archaeological features was represented by positive
anomalies focused mainly towards the centre of the site and located on the brow of a north facing
slope. These are representative of cut features such as pits and ditches. Areas of magnetic debris,
dipolar and possible thermoremanent anomalies may indicate made ground and possible
industrial activity. Due to the place name evidence these anomalies may originate from activity
such as brick or tile making. Anomalies on the northern boundary of the survey may result from
the former pond indicated on OS maps of the area (ASE).
Woodingdean: Drove Road (Approx TQ 346 058: Woodingdean Parish). (Director: John
Skelton, BHAS). BHAS was invited to excavate a small evaluation trench during local authority
resurfacing of an ancient trackway in Woodingdean know as Juggs Road. A small test trench,
0.95m x 1.6m, was dug down to chalk bedrock along the track 0.4m from its north edge. The
trench was dug by machine under archaeological supervision and then finished by hand
trowelling. The machined spoil was searched for artefacts. The soil depth was only 30 cm at this
point. There was no evidence of a pre-modern constructed surface over the chalk bedrock and no
artefacts of pre-modern age were found (BHAS).
West Sussex
Billingshurst: Land east of Billingshurst and south of the A272 (centred NGR TQ 09423
25766). Trial trench excavation has shown some Romano-British linear features. These may
represent more of the local Roman agricultural landscape, of which the small settlement and
associated field system excavated in 2014, to the north of the A272, also form part (ASE reported
by WSCC).
Boxgrove: Halnaker Hill (centred NGR SU 92045 09683). Monitoring of fence post
replacement excavation above the edge of the ditch of the Neolithic enclosure produced no finds
(WSCC).
Bramber: Bramber Castle (SU 866 143 Bramber parish). (Director Elaine Jamieson). Two
cores were taken through the mound of the motte at Bramber Castle by Reading University to
assess for the presence of buried land surfaces and determine whether there was a pre-existing
(Prehistoric) mound upon which the motte was formed. Report Pending (reported by NT).
Burgess Hill: Keymer Brick and Tile Works, Nye Road (NGR TQ 32210 19290). Small-scale
trial trenching around the former brickworks buildings, recently recorded and now demolished,
have revealed buried preserved ventilation tunnels and a turntable associated with mid 20thcentury brick kilns, and a circular brick foundation, possibly of a bottle kiln from an early phase
of use of the brickworks (Museum of London Archaeology reported by WSCC).
Chichester: The Old School Canteen site, Orchard Street (NGR SU 85097 05065). Trial
trench excavation on this site located 60 metres to the NW of the Chichester City Walls found no
ancient archaeological features. (Development Archaeology Services reported by WSCC).
Chichester: The Tannery, Westgate. Preliminary historic buildings appraisal and background
documentary work have been carried out for a surviving former factory building, dated 1910 but
converted in the 1970s into offices, of the last working tannery in Sussex (closed 1964) (AOC
Archaeology reported by WSCC).
Chichester: Rousillon Barracks, Otway Road. (NGR 48610 10635: Chichester parish).(Site
Code ORR 15. Director Greg Priestley-Bell). An archaeological evaluation was carried out on
land adjoining Roussillon Barracks between 4th - 6th August 2015. The work comprised the
excavation of three test trenches, each measuring 20m x 1.8m. With the exception of modern
redundant services, no archaeological features were identified in Trenches 1 and 3. However, a
granite pillar relating to the 19th- to 20th- century use of the site as an army barracks was
recovered from a modern made ground deposit in Trench 3. The archaeological features in
Trench 2 consisted of three spreads of 20th- century material, perhaps related to the demolition of
19th- to 20th-century barracks buildings, and a possible remnant modern footing or culvert; all
the features were identified immediately below a modern made ground deposit (ASE).
*Chichester Harbour: Coastal Monitoring. The society continues with its programme to
monitor archaeology along the shore around Chichester Harbour – identifying and recording new
features, as well as returning to monitor previous finds. The society continues to forge a
relationship with the CITiZAN South-West team, eleven of our members attending one of their
training sessions. CITiZAN have obtained a grant from the Harbour Conservancy for a project on
Iron/Roman Age Salt Working within the harbour, and are discussing with CDAS opportunities
for working together on it (CDAS).
Chichester: the amphitheatre and Priory Park. (NGRs SU867047 and SU863051). Radar
surveys were undertaken at Chichester Roman amphitheatre and Priory Park. The amphitheatre
was in poor condition, but some entrance structures were still visible. Priory Park contained the
remains of two partially robbed Roman town houses, some of the internal road network, low
status occupation of an indeterminate date and part of the internal Roman road network. Large
medieval ditches associated with the motte were also found, cutting the Roman roads. Report:
https://www.scribd.com/doc/278592045/Snuffler-1504 (David Staveley)
Crawley: Pease Pottage, Land South of A264. (NGR 525830 133424 Slaugham parish). (Site
Code CPP 15. Director Hayley Nicholls). An archaeological evaluation was undertaken on land
south of the A264, Pease Pottage in advance of a proposed cemetery development on the site. A
total of nine evaluation trenches were excavated. All trenches revealed a similar sequence of
natural firm mottled brown-orange/brown-yellow silt sand clay with occasional fragmented
sandstone inclusions at heights of between 137.34m AOD in the south-west trenches, and
130.32m AOD in the north-east trenches. This was overlain by a topsoil deposit of friable dark
brown silt. No visible subsoil was detected. The investigation has clarified that the anomalies
recorded during the geophysical survey were predominantly non-archaeological and likely to be a
result of geological variations or recent disturbance within the topsoil. It is likely that these nearsurface responses may have masked the underlying archaeology. Six of the nine excavated
trenches were devoid of archaeological features. Four features were identified. These were a large
ditch or pit of probable 17th century date and an undated north-south aligned ditch recorded
across three trenches. A small assemblage of finds of 19th- to 20th- century date was recovered
from the topsoil. No prehistoric, Roman or medieval material was encountered (ASE).
Crawley: Pease Pottage Golf & Driving range (NGR 525615 133056. Pease Pottage). (Site
code PPG 15. Director: Steffan Klemenic). A magnetometer survey was carried out in connection
with a planning application for the proposed redevelopment of this site to provide 95 residential
dwellings. The survey revealed a number of linear features across the centre of the site, most of
which are likely to be associated with drainage for the golf and driving range. In the eastern part
of the site there are a number of discrete potential archaeological features, however it is not
possible to determine their function or date from the geophysical survey. There may be other
features at the site, however these were not visible due to the metallic contamination present
(CBAS).
Crawley: Former Thomas Bennett Community College site, Anderson Road. (NGR centred
TQ 27006 34608). Geophysical (magnetometer) survey has been carried out on the former
playing fields. W/c. (TVAS reported by WSCC).
Emsworth: Warblington Villa. (SU 73446 05915) James Kenny once again very generously
offered support as our Excavation Director. This year’s two week session represents the societies
fifth season of excavations at the location. Our 2014 excavation, started to investigate the eastern
end of a rectangular building on the south side of a courtyard, south-east of the villa. Here we
found evidence for a high status building, well-constructed from high quality materials. This
season we investigated the western end of the same structure, which presented comparable
results. The Ground Penetrating Radar survey undertaken by Historic England in February 2015,
shows that this area has some of the deepest archaeology on site (CDAS).
Handcross: Nymans. (TQ 26685 29206 Slaugham parish). An historic building survey was
undertaken in June on the former glasshouses at Coombers, on the Nymans Estate. The site
reflects the development of a kitchen garden glasshouse complex associated with the Nymans
Estate. The site also demonstrates the development of glasshouse technology, with the later
adoption of a thermo-cycling system powered by a segmental cast iron boiler, and also pertains to
significant societal developments and trends being constructed a the highpoint of the fashion, for
glasshouses (ASE reported by NT).
Haywards Heath: Birchen Lane. An evaluation by ASE (provisionally notified by Surrey
County Council)
Horsham: Premier House, Queen Street. (NGR 517558 130364 Horsham parish). (Site Code
HQS 15. Director Ian Hogg). An archaeological evaluation was undertaken at 36-48 Queen
Street. The archaeological work comprised the machine excavation of two trenches. Natural
Weald Clay was recorded across the site at between 45.91m and 46.75m AOD. This was overlain
by an alluvial deposit and was cut by an undated posthole in one trench and a pit and sandstone
drain in the other. The pit contained a single sherd of medieval pottery while the drain is of
mid18th- century date. The features were sealed by a modern made ground deposit and a concrete
and asphalt car park surface (ASE).
Horsham: Tanbridge House School, Guildford Road (NGR TQ 15581 30770). Watching brief
and trial trenches excavated a short distance to the north of the known site of Romano-British
ditches found no ancient features: there was much previous ground disturbance (Development
Archaeology Services reported by WSCC).
Hunston: Land south of Kingsham, bounded by the A27 Chichester By-pass, B2145 and
Chichester Ship Canal (NGR centred SU 86344 03383). Watching brief at the eastern end of the
gravel quarry site continues. Part of a rectilinear (?)enclosure has been exposed on the
easternmost edge of the site, containing Iron Age pottery. An electromagnetic survey by Dr
Martin Bates has been carried out (report in prep) W/c (Development Archaeology Services
reported by WSCC).
Hurstpierpoint: strip,map,sample of Iron Age site revealed during evaluation (ASE,
provsionally reported by Surrey CC).
Lower Barpham, Barpham Hill (NGR 506659 109622: Barpham). (Site code APE 14. Director:
Keith Butler). A watching brief was carried out during the construction of a new track which
crossed a Cross Dyke (SAM) at Barpham Hill. The area passing through the Cross Dyke was not
excavated but was bridged with the spoil resulting from the reduction of the track away from the
monument. No archaeological features were noted, but a small quantity of humanly struck flints
and pieces of fire cracked flint were recovered. The flintwork, which was all debitage, probably
dated to the Early Neolithic period. Some artefacts relating to possible Second World War
activity were also found (CBAS).
Petworth: Petworth Park, 6th Duke’s stables (SU 970 220: Petworth/Tillington). (Site code
PSB 15. Director: Simon Stevens). A nine day community excavation was undertaken at the site
of the 6th Duke’s (C18th) stables. Excavation showed that the vast majority of the stables had
been completely removed during the landscaping work of Capability Brown, but did successfully
identify foundation walling and water supply infrastructure relating to the stables, as well as
elements of the Porters Lodges and geometric formal gardens which once lay adjacent to them
(ASE reported by NT).
Poling, The Vinery (NGR 505155 105501: Poling). (Site code VIN 14. Director: Jim Webster).
CBAS carried out a programme of archaeological monitoring and excavation at The Vinery
during the development of the site. One hundred features were exposed, excavated and recorded
within four areas (A-D). The features included ditches, pits, a gulley and a possible burnt flint
mound, together with post holes and stakeholes; a number of which formed the partial remains of
five possible structures, Structures 1-5. Many of these features were sealed by re-deposition of the
natural brick-earth, two episodes of which were noted. The majority of the features dated to the
Late Bronze Age and were located at two topographical high points within the Site, which
equated to Areas B and D. The five possible structures within these areas may have functioned as
granaries for the storage of beans, numerous examples of which were recovered from soil
samples. Evidence within the archaeological record for the growth of this crop within this period
is rare and so it is significant in expanding our knowledge of agriculture in the L.B.A. A large
assemblage of early post Deverel-Rimbury L.B.A pottery was recovered from the site, together
with two ceramic loom weights and a number of quern stones, some of local sandstone, but some
were of Arkose sandstone and could have derived from the Channel Islands or Brittany.
There was also evidence of intensive burning practices from the analysis of the large quantity of
charcoal from soil samples. This may suggest that small scale pottery production alongside
specialised crop farming was taken place, indicating that this was more an industrial than
domestic site. A field system of five linear features, which could represent a series of drainage
ditches, was also recorded; these were predominately within Area A of the site though two
crossed westward into Area D and one was present in Area B. These were shallow and ephemeral
in places indicating truncation of the site possibly through later agriculture activity. The pottery
from these features suggests a medieval date for the field system. The major importance of The
Vinery site is in the L.B.A activity. For a post Deverel-Rimbury site within the Sussex Coastal
Plain it has unusual and significant features (CBAS).
Rudgwick: Land at Summerfold. (NGR 509133 133885: Rudgwick parish). (Site Code RUD
15. Director Ian Hogg). An archaeological evaluation was undertaken at land at Summerfold,
Rudgwick, Horsham. The archaeological work comprised the machine excavation of eight
trenches. Natural Weald Clay was recorded across the site at between 64.62m and 71.89m AOD.
This was overlain by an undisturbed sequence of subsoil and topsoil. The only features recorded
were a system of field drains of early 20th- century date. No archaeological remains were
identified (ASE).
* Secrets of the High Woods: South Downs National Park.
The project is gearing up for the next winter season of fieldwork, with sessions arranged at a
range of sites across the SHW project area. Volunteers will be using a new Recorder App, which
holds cached LiDAR, satellite imagery, historic maps and base maps to help them verify the
results of the National Mapping Programme. The archival and oral history elements of the
project are ongoing, and are leading to many new and exciting discoveries. Alice Thorne (Alice
Thorne: South Downs National Park Authority).
Selsey: Drift Road. (NGR 486600 094007: Selsey parish). (Site Code DRI 15. Director: Greg
Priestley-Bell). An archaeological evaluation was carried out on land at Drift Road. Nineteen
50m x 1.8m trenches were investigated. Marsh Farm Formation deposits were overlain by Head
Deposits of silt and clay (brickearth), subsoil (plough pan) and topsoil. The evaluation has
revealed three periods of activity. This is thought to be predominantly of a Late Bronze Age date
and includes elements of co-axial land-division (field-system) spread across much of the site and
occupation in the south-east. Late-Roman and post-medieval activity may also be represented.
There was overall a shortage of dating evidence which has made the effective dating and
therefore the characterisation of the remains difficult (ASE).
Shermanbury, Morley Manor (NGR 520803 119774: Shermanbury). (Site code MMS 15.
Director: Chris Butler). A desk-based assessment report was prepared in connection with a
planning application for the construction of a new lake, associated landscaping and new vehicular
access. The assessment established that there is a low to moderate potential for finding
archaeological remains at the site. There is little evidence for archaeological activity at or near the
site from prehistory through until recent times. The report also concluded that there is no
detrimental impact on the setting of the Listed Building Morley Manor by the development. A
watching brief phase is due to commence imminently (CBAS).
Shipley: Knepp Castle Estate (NGR TQ 16400 21899). The small-scale programme of trial
trench excavation continues: latest phase: no archaeological features. (West Sussex Archaeology
Ltd reported by WSCC).
Shoreham-by-Sea: Land opposite 1-3 Ship Street (NGR TQ 21425 05073). A watching brief
on excavations of shallow footings for a single new dwelling just behind the High Street found
one medieval pit, a 19th-century cobbled surfaces and footings (West Sussex Archaeology Ltd
(George Anelay with Lisa Fisher), reported by WSCC).
Singleton: Upper Lodge, Drovers. (NGR 87427 14571 Singleton parish). (Site Code SUL 15
and ULD 15. Directors Suzanne Westall and Greg Priestley-Bell). In 2015 a watching brief and a
limited excavation for the National Trust on groundworks at Upper Lodge, Singleton was carried
out during renovation of the property. The lodge and its garden sit within a small, disused quarry
pit. No archaeological features were identified during the watching brief but a small assemblage
of finds was recovered, including pottery, ceramic building material, struck flint, clay tobacco
pipe, glass, metal, marine shell and animal bone. The majority of the finds were recovered from
topsoil in the garden of the property and date from the 18th to early 20th centuries. Three struck
flints of prehistoric date were also recovered from the topsoil. The limited excavation comprised
the cutting and recording of a section adjacent to a small ‘cave’ that had been exposed by the
groundworks in the lower face of the former quarry pit. The ‘cave’ cut was very irregular,
perhaps suggesting that it had not been cut into the exposed face of the former quarry, but rather
had been exposed by quarrying. If this were the case, it is possible that the ‘cave’ represented the
end of a gallery or tunnel that predated the opencast quarrying and related to an earlier chalk mine
on the site (ASE).
Singleton, Downley (SU 866 143, Singleton parish). (Site code Downley 15. Director Mark
Roberts). As part of a Field School excavation for UCL students a second season of excavation
was undertaken at the site of the medieval lodge site at Downley, on the Drovers Estate. The
excavations identified the external walls of the lodge site and the foundations of a circular tower,
as well as features and finds relating to the Bronze Age and Roman periods (UCL reported by
NT).
Singleton, Downley Cottage (SU 86125 14409, Singleton parish). An historic building survey
was undertaken in August on Downley Cottage in advance of refurbishment of the cottage. The
building has some illustrative value as a late-18th pair of cottages with associated outbuildings
forming a small farmstead. A laser scan was taken for the adjacent barn, which is in a poor
condition (ASE reported by NT).
Slindon, Northwood (SU 958 111 Slindon parish). Worthing Archaeological Society undertook
geophysical survey in the field known as War Ag 2 during October, where a barrow cemetery has
previously been identified. A magnetometry survey across the field failed to identify any trace of
the barrows, though it did successfully identify an extensive network of field boundaries and
trackways which most likely date to the Iron Age/Romano-British period. The WAS resistivity
survey did not identify any archaeological features (WAS reported by NT).
Tangmere: Tangmere Airfield Nurseries (NGR centred SU 919800 060850). A watching brief
on construction of a permanent access track revealed no archaeological features or deposits owing
to a very shallow topsoil strip (TVAS reported by WSCC).
Twineham to Worthing: onshore cabling route and substation site for proposed Rampion
offshore wind farm (NGR TQ 247 210 – 279 131 – 198 076 – 160 081 – 154 057 – 174 032
approx.). Archaeological excavation and watching brief works. Topsoil stripping has begun
within the working width of the 26 km long onshore cabling corridor. Further information in next
Forum report. (ASE and RSK, reported by WSCC & HCC).
Westergate: Land West of Westergate. (NGR 493580 104670 Aldingbourne parish). (Site
Code LWW 15. Director Hayley Nicholls). An archaeological evaluation of 17 trenches was
undertaken at the site. These revealed the underlying natural sandy clay at a maximum height of
9.80m AOD in the south-western corner of the site (Trench 15), falling away to 9.36m AOD in
the south-east corner of the site (Trench 17) and 9.17m AOD in the north-east corner (Trench 4).
A small quantity of residual struck flint suggests some activity of Neolithic to Late Bronze Age
date in the vicinity of the site. However, much of the archaeological activity recorded appears to
be related to a large sub-rectangular enclosure of probable Middle-Late Iron Age date, with a
range of associated internal features indicative of occupation, including pits ditches, gullies and
postholes. Medieval activity is limited to a single pit of possible 13th- to 14th- century date. Postmedieval features comprise field boundary ditches, some of which are present on some 19thcentury Ordnance Survey maps (ASE).
West Hoathly: Ibstock Brickworks (NGR TQ 37600 32521). Continuing watching brief on
topsoil stripping for extension of the clay pit has exposed a further 50 minepits within Mare Pit
Wood, believed by association with dated features to be medieval, a possibly medieval ditch and
a post-medieval marl pit (Cotswold Archaeology reported by WSCC).
Worthing: Northbrook College, West Durrington (NGR TQ 10515 03930). The final phase of
archaeological excavation has now been completed, revealing a sub-circular Romano-British
enclosure and the surviving part of a small RB building with flint footings and dished/ sunken
floor (TVAS reported by WSCC).
Worthing: Land north of Fulbeck Avenue, West Durrington (NGR TQ 10546 05027, TQ
10666 05222). Excavation of two 15m x 15m square areas in the central part of this site has
revealed a small number of pits filled with burnt flint (AC Archaeology reported by WSCC).
Worthing to Wineham: Rampion Offshore Windfarm (NGR 517302 103251 to 524219
121083). (Site Code TMB 15. Director Giles Dawkes). An ongoing programme of archaeological
watching brief and strip, map and sample. To date, a small number of later prehistoric, late
IA/RB, medieval and post-medieval features have been recorded. As part of the scheme ASE
have also carried out the hand excavation of a 15m section of cross-dyke at Tottington Mount.
Full archaeological details will be made available in the forthcoming post-excavation assessment
following completion of the project. For further details on the scheme please contact the E-on
press office:
https://pressreleases.eon-uk.com/blogs/eonukpressreleases/archive/2015/05/18/2430.aspx (ASE).
NB. No fieldwork to report for this period from:
Hampshire County Council
Horsham & District Archaeology Group
Sussex Military History Society
Philippa Whitehill
NB: No fieldwork reports for this period received from:
Chichester District Council
Cuckmere Archaeological Group
Development Archaeological Services
Eastbourne Museum Service
East Sussex County Council
Sussex Industrial Archaeological Society
Thames Valley Archaeological Services
West Sussex Archaeology
Winchelsea Archaeological Society
WIRG
Worthing Archaeological Society